Here are some progress pics along the way, and I'll be sure to update as I continue on with my build.

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Bone stock just a few days after buying it. Loved it as it come off the showroom floor, but as I always do, I needed to improve on a few things!

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One of the first things I do when I buy my vehicles is head over to my buddies shop and get a tint job done. Here you can see Juan tinting the headlight reflectors.

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I didn't really like the orange reflectors or the blue emblems on the Race Red, so I decided to see how tinting them would turn out. I'd say I'm thoroughly happy with how the tint worked out. Here's the front grill emblem.

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Fresh tint job soaking in the sun. Notice the 5% on all windows, and 50% on the windshield. No visibility issues what-so-ever. It was right about this time that I realized I was in need of the Cravenspeed shorty antenna.

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I haven't had any killer stereos in my cars for at least 10 years. I've been building Mustangs for speed, and the only music I would hear is the sounds of blower whine, exhaust, tires squeeling, and asphalt crying! For this truck, given the lack of the V8 rumble, I opted to go with a pretty intensive stereo install. Mainly comprised of JL Audio components. Here you see my JL Audio Clean Sweep and Signal Summing Interface installed on custom built amp rack.

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I went with the JL Audio HD900/5 amp to conserve space on my amp rack, and to stay with high end components from JL Audio. I shouldn't need to upgrade this amp ever. Here's you see it installed on custom built amp rack. Notice the wiring is hidden incredibly well. I took ample time and comprised a way to run all the wires behind the amp rack, while maintaining a separation of power and RCA.

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Custom built amp rack install complete. Was a long day, refer to my build thread linked in the "Related Threads" section of this build thread for detailed pics of the install. I can say this, it felt amazing to stand back and look at this, after weeks of research and preparation.

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CravenSpeed shorty antenna is hands down a must have if your primary source of music isn't FM/AM. Due to my location, I have no issues picking up FM/AM stations, but you will undoubtedly lose signal if you are not located near the stereo signal towers. Looks great, well made, packaged nicely, and shipped quickly. Easily my best <$25 mod to date.

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I've got this local place I go to and get these vanity plates custom made. They are well built and the price is right. This one says "Twin Turbo Toy Hauler", but I'm considering changing it out for something else. I'm still brainstorming another idea. Either way, it's a decent shot of the plate and the grill emblem.

I really wanted something to spruce up the engine compartment and also give me some of that infectious turbo spool noise! I looked around and went with what I felt was most aesthetically pleasing! The aFe Stage 2 Magnum Force Intake. I left the inserts in the factory intake tubes as I read mixed results on taking them out.

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I really wanted something to protect my cargo in the bed, give me an added sense of security, and also keep my load dry. I use my truck as a family recreational vehicle. This means tailgating, camping and trips to the lake with some off road ventures. I had debated back and forth between a BakFlip F1 and the Bak Roll-X. I also was having a toss up between Line-x Premium and the Bedrug. In the end I choose the Bak Roll-X for the ability to see outside of the rear window, ease of use for my wife, single panel looks, and overall cleanliness. I opted for the Bedrug, as I need something to protect my cargo from the bed versus protecting my bed from my cargo. I love the comfort of it, and my son loves hanging out back there even more now!

Damn that intake is sexy... I see you got a tuner also, do you need to have a tuner when you put the intake on or can you get away without it? I know tuners bring the most out but I wanna buy things one part at a time. Nice truck and good luck with the build bro.

Damn that intake is sexy... I see you got a tuner also, do you need to have a tuner when you put the intake on or can you get away without it? I know tuners bring the most out but I wanna buy things one part at a time. Nice truck and good luck with the build bro.

You can run a tuner with the stock intake, and you can run an aftermarket intake with the stock tune.

Certainly the tune makes the most difference performance wise, but the intake is really trick looking and adds quite a bit of turbo spooling noise!

I recommend the tune first, and then get an intake afterwards.

Thanks for the compliments! I really appreciate it!

Quote:

Originally Posted by kepcv6871

Love the mods. Wow. Nice job!

Question about tinting the emblems. They look great. I have a white 2012 S/Cab and would like to change the blue to a black oval. How did you do it?

Thanks man!

We just used a tint film, and carefully applied the film over the emblems and cut them with a razor blade to size. The use of a heat gun really came into play, and it gives the emblems a "black chrome" look.

I really love these, but eventually plan to plastidip the chrome emblem surround, and get a Moody Blue cover.

Damn FX4 TT, ur truck is badass. Gotta say I am a bit jealous. I actually like the appearance package, and that red is sweet. Nice work buddy. Great job on the stereo install as well. Very clean looking. I just got rid of my sundown 10 and switched to the jl t3w5 13" shallow mount in custom box. DAMN, that thing has amazing bass for a shallow mount.

Damn FX4 TT, ur truck is badass. Gotta say I am a bit jealous. I actually like the appearance package, and that red is sweet. Nice work buddy. Great job on the stereo install as well. Very clean looking. I just got rid of my sundown 10 and switched to the jl t3w5 13" shallow mount in custom box. DAMN, that thing has amazing bass for a shallow mount.

I appreciate it! No reason to be jealous, it is I who is envious of your sweet rig! Can't wait to see the ADD bumpers!

The stereo was quite the undertaking, seeing how I've never done a stereo install this intensive. But I wanted it done the cleanest and wanted the best quality for my buck. I'm very proud of how it turned out! You were in a big help in that, and I appreciate it!

I had considered the shallow mount JL, but opted for what I was used to in the end. Glad you like it! I'd like to upgrade to a component set up in the fronts, and also upgrade the subs at some point, but for now it sounds amazing!

I appreciate it! No reason to be jealous, it is I who is envious of your sweet rig! Can't wait to see the ADD bumpers!

The stereo was quite the undertaking, seeing how I've never done a stereo install this intensive. But I wanted it done the cleanest and wanted the best quality for my buck. I'm very proud of how it turned out! You were in a big help in that, and I appreciate it!

I had considered the shallow mount JL, but opted for what I was used to in the end. Glad you like it! I'd like to upgrade to a component set up in the fronts, and also upgrade the subs at some point, but for now it sounds amazing!

Well I'm glad I was able to help. My stereo install was also a first for me as far as this nice and intricate of an install. I couldn't have achieved it wo the help of all the people on this forum.
Man I'm ready to get these bumpers in. I just got my 40 & 20" e series, d2's, and dually diffuse rigids in the other day. Gonna be middle of march before I see the bumpers, hopefully. Also ordered a set of retrofits that should look killer, hopefully shipping next week.
Now I'm gettin the itch to add a 6" lift. Lol. It's never ending.